Campus love stories: UST edition

MANILA, Philippines – The Tiger, a creature of majestic strength whose roar can cause hearts to tremble. Not necessarily out of fear or pain, though. After all, for the romantic Thomasian, the heart can also beat fast for love. 

Love faces both joys and hardships, and students of the Royal and Pontifical University are no stranger to that idea. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, see through the eyes of two Thomasians who have experienced the ups and downs of loving someone with all their hearts. 

Drifting Further and Further Away

They met during high school. Jaime* was tasked to organize an event, and Juan* went there with the intention of asking Jaime’s friend (and his crush) to the ball. During that time, Jaime and Juan weren’t that close, but they only became friends when they started studying in UST. It helped that they had a lot of similarities – like books, philosophy, common friends, and even the fact that they both came from gender-exclusive high schools. It also helped that they had a lot of similar break times. 

Of course, Jaime realized that Juan was also very different from her. She majored in the arts while he majored in science. She was the “feeler,” and he was the “thinker.” Yet, in her eyes, they complement each other with their very differences. Like yin and yang, they were a balance of forces. 

Their relationship continued to blossom as time went by, and Jaime felt touched by the little actions that Juan did for her. One time, Jaime was driven to tears due to a professor lashing out on her, and it was Juan who comforted her. The next day, he even gave her a tiny stuffed bear – a constant companion to remind her that she’ll be okay and that someone will always help her out if she ever got into a fight with someone. Then, there were those rainy days when he would offer her his umbrella even if she had her own. There were also those hand-holding moments between them that Jaime wouldn’t notice until she actually gave a second glance. 

They finally became a couple, and that was through the help of some guards who gave flowers to Jaime upon Juan’s instruction. Jaime was happy – truly, she was – but unfortunately, not all love stories end there. Anything that rises to the highest peak eventually has to fall down. 

It was on their fourth year when a distance came between them. Juan spoke to her less and less. At first, Jaime thought that it was because they were both busy with their respective classes, but then she found out about a certain batchmate that Juan liked to chat with. What’s worse? It seemed to her that Juan would rather open up to this girl than he would with her. Jaime ended up confronting Juan about this, but that wasn’t enough to save their relationship. Juan just continued to drift further away from her, and it broke Jaime to see that she’s the only one who’s willing to fight for their relationship. 

Jaime broke up with Juan during Paskuhan, and to her, it was ironic how she felt so heartbroken during one of the most festive events of the university. But, who could blame her? After all, the two of them had been through so much together after four years. 

Jaime eventually learned to move on. To this day, she continues to pursue her passions in art and her dreams of finishing post-graduate studies. She even found a new love who also aims to finish post-graduate studies with her. 

Whatever happened to Juan, then? Well, Jaime knows that Juan’s still finishing his bachelor’s degree, and she also knows that he’s dating that same batch mate. They never spoke again, and although Jaime used to hate the both of them, she eventually learned to forgive them. As she puts it, “I’ve done my part and forgiven him, and I’d rather dwell on the many happy things in this world versus dwelling in the rejection of a person who never deserved me.” 

To You, From a Million Miles Away

Krista* met her classmate, Marco*, while she was still studying Architecture. From a classmate, he became her first close male best friend. Around half a year after, they eventually became official. Coincidentally, this was during February – the month where many young couples would get together for a romantic relationship. 

Krista loved for Marco, and in her eyes, he was perfect. He’s understanding, patient, thoughtful, and a person with the biggest heart. She was so happy to be with him that it pained her so much when she found out that he and his family had plans of eventually migrating to Canada. 

For the longest time, Krista just kept counting the days that she had left with Marco. She made the most out of her time with him, and she cherished every moment with him. Yet, in the back of head, she was faced with the fact that one day, he would be gone. They would be no one to accompany her on her way home. No one to share to the most intimate stories with. No one to mess around and laugh with. 

Years became months. Months became weeks. Eventually, weeks became days. Krista didn’t think that she could handle this form of torture. Marco even asked if she would still like to continue their relationship. To him, he found it unfair that he’s the cause of her sadness in her very first relationship. 

The day finally came, and Krista accompanied him to the airport. Tears flowed down from her cheeks as she watched him go, and at that moment, she wondered if this was even real. She confronted herself with that very same question for the next three months – always in tears, always contemplating about him. Eventually, she learned to cope with the situation, thanks to her friends who were always there to comfort her. 

To this day, Krista and Marco continue their long distance relationship. There may have been ups and downs, but overall, Krista is happy. She even takes advantage of those occasions when Marco would come to visit the Philippines for a month. 

Six years have passed since the start of their relationship. Four and a half years have passed since they started a long distant one. Krista and Marco never gave up on each other, and they continue to express their love for each other through Facebook, Skype and all forms of social media. 

“Para sa iba na nasa long-distance relationship (For those in a long-distance relationship), don’t give up and don’t be afraid to try to work things out because love will always find a way,” Krista said, hoping to inspire those who are also facing a similar situation. “Distance will never be a hindrance to those who truly love each other.” – Rappler.com

*Anonymous names were given by request of the subjects.

Samantha Santos is a Rappler intern.